Social anxiety and no friends in small town Alabama that I'm afraid to go out

[arthurm31985]

Hey guys I'm kinda new here and just looking for friends that I can relate to. It is lonely with social anxiety and I never met anyone like myself with social anxiety and hopefully one day I find my Match. I hope this post is ok in this group. I need friends for support.

[Indigojoe]

Arthur, one of the best ways for me to break my social anxiety was to go to a nursing home, or senior citizen housing project, or our local animal shelter.

None of these people, or the animals will ever judge you, for anything. All any of them will do will be so happy that you took the time to come to visit with them.

Even if, you only have a few "old" folks in your town, visiting with them for 10 minutes and having a tea to keep them company is a good start.

They will only see your heart, and hear your words of kindness. No judgment, no criticism, just gratitude for your presence.

[Maisie1]

Have you had any therapy that might help.

[redcanyon]

Hi Arthur, it doesn't matter what country you live in or if you're male or female, social anxiety can affect you.. I work as a nanny with small children, so I feel safe from judgement from adults! I was a care worker before that helping the ill and vulnerable in their own homes, again I felt safe from judgement. I get my real happiness from sport, I swim twice a week and have joined a gym. I try and make myself join groups in the understanding that there really are a lot of folk who also suffer but have learnt to accept it.... Before I go out I do some deep breathing and take a few drops of Rescue Remedy and tell my inner head that I am "confident and calm and I am a good person" with a stupid friend living in my head!!! Try and get above it , you will be amazed what positive thinking can do....

Make friends in your new town.

[Aileen914]

Hi Arthur, you've got some great suggestions so I'm not sure I can come up with anything more useful but feel free to PM me if you wanna talk. I suffer from GAD and social anxiety too, possible Asperger's and I can definitely relate.

I think it's a great idea to volunteer somewhere with seniors or children, it's so true that older folks and kids are not like young people in the sense that we as young and middle aged can be more superficial and competitive and less attuned to what really matters in life. If you're a religious person it might also help to join a church. I'm not very religious myself but I've seen some positive youth groups that were church related. Depends on the congregation I guess. You could also try forums for folks with social anxiety that may be looking for friends and you might find someone nearby.

Good luck